Rubio remains in the saddle, while Campbell bests Edwards in Seaside.

The grin doesn’t leave Jason Campbell’s face all night. It’s probably not entirely a credit to the juice he sips at the new Press Club at Monterey County Weekly, or even the cameos from powerful supporters like State Sen. Bill Monning and County Supervisor Jane Parker. It’s the early ballot results: In his second run at Seaside City Council, Campbell is winning.

Sue Hawthorne says she was motivated to turn out for Campbell because of his opposition to Monterey Downs, a proposed 550-acre development on the former Fort Ord. “If people vote for Jason, it’s a statement we need to go in another direction,” Hawthorne says. “Right now [the council] is monolithic.”

By Nov. 5, Campbell has edged out incumbent Alvin Edwards, 28 to 24 percent. Councilman Dennis Alexander is keeping his seat, with 29 percent.

Mayoral challenger Felix Bachofner drops by later, as results show him trailing Mayor Ralph Rubio by about 20 points. “Right now it doesn’t look good for me,” he admits.

A few blocks over, partygoers cross over asphalt slurry to get to Rosa’s La Villa Taqueria. Inside, a framed photo shows Rubio and his wife, Gracie, smiling with the restaurant owners.

This is basically the Rubios’ joint. Gracie’s smitten with the rellenos. Ralph’s held all six of his Election Night parties here since 2004, all but one of them victorious. (That was 2010, the first of three mayoral challenges by Bachofner.)

Soon after the returns show Rubio trouncing Bachofner, 57-43 percent, Gracie and Ralph ceremoniously slice into a bright blue cake, part of a spread including fried flautas and guacamole.

Also at the party: Councilman Ian Oglesby, looking uncharacteristically laid-back in a V-neck sweater, and Councilman Dave Pacheco, likewise at ease. (Both are in the middle of their four-year terms.) Alexander, stopping by during his patrol shift as a Sand City reserve officer, is confident in his lead.

Seaside/Pacific Grove Police Chief Vicki Myers breezes in to congratulate the incumbents. She’s coming from the Pacific Grove Masonic Lodge, where the six P.G. council candidates and incumbent Mayor Bill Kampe are wrapping up a community party.

There, well over 100 people dove in to a classic Americana buffet: pasta, chicken skewers, pork sliders, cheese and veggie platters, cupcakes, beer and wine.

The idea for a joint P.G. election party started last year, when Kampe and two winning candidates pooled their resources. “Frankly, having more of a crowd just creates more excitement,” he says.

Incumbents Ken Cuneo and Rudy Fischer handily held their positions, while newcomer Bill Peake slipped into the council seat vacated by Alan Cohen.

Notably absent: mayoral contender John Moore, who was down, 25 percent to Kampe’s 75, by the end of the night.

Moore had dubbed himself “the reluctant candidate,” admitting his real M.O. was to get out his message about the city’s alleged insolvency. He emailed the Weekly to say wouldn’t be doing an Election Night party.

“I have two hours of mystery shows. And then to bed,” he wrote. “I don’t expect to win.”